Enhanced wireless charging

Abstract

Embodiments facilitate wireless charging of the EV by using a charging method that employs higher voltages with higher power transmission rate than induction wireless charging. A few charging methods satisfying such criteria are provided: including microwave and laser charging. Components may be designed to facilitate charging of EVs using such methods. For example, components may be designed to create a vacuum between a power transmitter fixed to parking spot and a power receiver fixed to the EV. The microwave or laser may be transmitted through this vacuum.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A charging station for wireless power transmission, the charging station comprising a parking spot, the parking spot being configured to receive electric power from a power grid, wherein the parking spot comprises:
 a first control unit; 
 a first hollowed-out component, wherein the first hollowed-out component comprises one or more first sensors configured to be coupled to one or more second sensors on a counterpart second hollowed-out component of an electric vehicle to align the first hollowed-out component with the second hollowed-out component; 
 one or more guide posts provided around the parking spot, the one or more guide posts are configured to guide the electric vehicle to the parking spot; and 
 a power transmitter provided in the first hollowed-out component; and, wherein 
 the first control unit is configured to:
 receive a request to charge an electric vehicle; 
 in response to the request being received, determine whether the second hollowed-out component is aligned with the first hollowed-out component through sensor inputs; and 
 in determination that the second hollowed-out component is aligned with the first hollowed-out component, generate an instruction to convert the electric power received from the power grid to a radio medium having a frequency higher than 500 megahertz such that the radio medium is transmitted from the power transmitter to the electric vehicle. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the radio medium includes microwave. 
     
     
       3. The charging station of  claim 2 , wherein the power transmitter is configured to transmit microwave to a power receiver mounted on a chassis of the electric vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the radio medium includes a laser. 
     
     
       5. The charging station of  claim 4 , wherein the power transmitter is configured to transmit the laser to a power receiver mounted on a chassis of the electric vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein a power transmission rate at which the electric power is transmitted from the charging station to the electric vehicle is between 20 kilo watts per hour to 60 kilo watts per hour. 
     
     
       7. The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein voltage for the power transmission between the charging station and the electric vehicle is between 400 volts and 800 volts. 
     
     
       8. The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the first control unit is further configured to generate an instruction to activate charging of the electric vehicle after the request has been received. 
     
     
       9. The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the first control unit is further configured to generate an instruction to deactivate charging of the electric vehicle after an indication that the electric vehicle is fully charged has been received. 
     
     
       10. The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the first control unit is further configured to:
 in determination that the second hollowed-out component is misaligned with the first hollowed-out component, generate an instruction to adjust position of the electric vehicle until the second hollowed-out component is aligned with the first hollowed-out component. 
 
     
     
       11. The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors correspond to each other in position. 
     
     
       12. An electric vehicle configured for wireless power transmission, the electric vehicle comprising:
 a second control unit; 
 a second hollowed-out component mounted on chassis of the electric vehicle, wherein the second hollowed-out component comprises one or more second sensors configured to be coupled to one or more first sensors on a counterpart first hollowed-out component of a parking spot to align the first hollowed-out component with the second hollowed-out component; and 
 a power receiver disposed within the second hollow-out component; and, wherein 
 the second control unit is configured to:
 generate a request to charge an electric vehicle; 
 determine whether the second hollowed-out component is aligned with the first hollowed-out component through sensor inputs; and 
 in determination that the second hollowed-out component is aligned with the first hollowed-out component, generate an instruction to receive through the power transmitter a radio medium having a frequency higher than 500 megahertz, the radio medium being wirelessly received from a power transmitter of a charging station through the first hollow-out component and the second hollowed-out component. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The electric vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the radio medium includes microwave. 
     
     
       14. The electric vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the power receiver is configured to receive microwave. 
     
     
       15. The electric vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the radio medium includes a laser. 
     
     
       16. The electric vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the power receiver is configured to receive the laser. 
     
     
       17. The electric vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein a power transmission rate at which the electric power is transmitted from the charging station to the electric vehicle is between 20 kilo watts per hour to 60 kilo watts per hour. 
     
     
       18. The electric vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein voltage for the power transmission between the charging station and the electric vehicle is between 400 volts and 800 volts. 
     
     
       19. The electric vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the second control unit is further configured to generate an instruction to transmit the request to the charging station. 
     
     
       20. The electric vehicle of  claim 12 , further comprising: one or more cameras configured to capture images of one or more guide posts provided around the parking spot in order to guide the electric vehicle to the parking spot.